Wide Bay's romantic dining experiences| LIST

From creative cocktails to delicious fine dining, if you're searching for somewhere special to go, here’s a list of local foodie experiences you can share with family, friends or someone special for date night year round.

It’s a tough time for the hospitality industry, so what better time than the lead up to the long weekend to celebrate the Wide Bay restaurants serving up great food and dining experiences.

Fraser Coast Mayor George Seymour said while businesses were starting to see improvement, showing support so restaurants could continue operating and employing locals was essential.

“Local businesses have been through two years of uncertainty and stress,” Mr Seymour said

“The local businesses are run by local people, they employ locals, they keep our economy ticking over.

“It’s really important that we find ways to continue to support them, whether it is getting takeaway or going out on a different night of the week”.

In Gympie, Chamber of Commerce President Petra Van Beck local businesses were run by our neighbours, our friends, our family members”

“Covid has hit quite a few industries hard and rather than support some Amazon giant somewhere else where the profits even go overseas, it’s so much more important to support our local businesses.

“Shop local. Even if you get a takeaway or if you’re looking for a present, whatever it is that you want to spend your money on, don’t go online, shop local”.

Keep this list handy when you're searching for somewhere special to go for dinner, or the perfect date night location. For a list of sweet and gift shops click here.

Fraser Coast

Odyssey Bistro

Dynamic hospitality duo Scott Thompson and Jason England run Odyssey Bistro at Scarness.

Where: 4/341 Esplanade, Scarness, 4655

Opening hours: Wednesday – Thursday 5pm – Late. Friday – Saturday 12pm – Late.

Vibe: The low-lit intimate dining room at 341 the Esplanade, Scarness, delivers the flavours and feel of the paddock-to-plate style cuisine diners might expect in a Bourke St laneway or Byron Bay farmstay.

Bookings: https://www.odysseybistro.com.au/bookings

Ricardo’s Italiano

Seafood delight: Hot and cold platters for two at Riccardo's Italianio.

Where: 1/433 Esplanade, Torquay, 4655

Opening hours: Tuesday – Saturday, dinner from 5:30pm

Vibe: Escape to Italy at Ricardos Italiano & Seafood Restaurant & Bar. With authentic pizzas, pastas, and fresh seafood, diners can enjoy flavour-packed meals while overlooking the haven of Hervey Bay.

Bookings: http://ricardositaliano.com.au/index.html

McNevin’s Sails Restaurant

Art deco styling in the dining room at Sails, McNevins Motel.

Where: 188 John Street, Maryborough, 4650

Opening hours: Monday – Saturday, dinner from 6pm

Vibe: Wine and dine at McNevin’s Sails Restaurant in Maryborough. In an elegant and classy setting, diners can enjoy a cocktail, or two, with their meals.

Bookings: https://maryborough-motel.mcnevins.com.au/dining/ 

Dessert at Sails Restaurant at McNevin's Motel, Maryborough

Waterfront Restaurant

Natalie Stone, weddings and functions manager from Waterfront Restaurant, Hervey Bay.

Where: Pulgul Street & Kent Street, Urangan, 4655

Opening hours: Wednesday – Sunday 8am – 3pm

Vibe: The name says it all – Hervey Bay’s Waterfront Restaurant offers sweeping views of the coastline. Diners can treat their tastebuds to fresh seafood while overlooking the Bay. This restaurant is also an award-winning wedding venue

Bookings: http://www.waterfrontherveybay.com.au/contact-us/

Aegean Waters French Restaurant

Aegean Waters French Restaurant – owner and chef Christian Saint-Jon. Photo: Alistair Brightman

Where: 434 the Esplanade, Torquay

Opening hours: Tuesday to Saturday 6pm-late

Vibe: Twenty-seven years since opening Hervey Bay’s first fine dining restaurant owners Christian and Liberty Saint-Jon still serve up a memorable dining experience amid jewelled harps, chandeliers, oil paintings of bare bosomed French maids and a menu featuring fine dining staples from the golden era of silver service like lobster mornay and bombe Alaska along with French classics.

Bookings: [phone]

Liberty Saint-Jon. Photo: Alistair Brightman

BUNDABERG

Water Street Kitchen

Cocktails at Water Street Kitchen, Bundaberg

Where: 85 Water Street, Walkervale, 4670

Opening hours: Wednesday – Saturday, dinner from 5:30pm

Vibe: Get a little bit fancy at Water Street Kitchen’s fine-dining destination. Indulge in their mouth-watering dinner menu and decadent desserts. With creative cocktails to die for, to the intimate and cosy atmosphere, it’s perfect for a special dinner or date night.

Bookings: https://www.waterstkitchen.com.au/reservations

Kacy’s Bargara Restaurant

Kacy's Restaurant, Bargara.

Where: 63 Esplanade, Bargara, 4670

Opening hours: Tuesday – Saturday, dinner 5pm – 8:30pm

Vibe: When quality cuisine meets breathtaking ocean views. In the relaxed dining area at Kacy’s Bargara Restaurant, diners can enjoy modern Australian cuisine made with fresh and local produce. For those not craving a meal, chill out with a beverage at Kacy’s Wine Bar.

Bookings: https://www.kacys.com.au/contact

Bert’s Restaurant & Bar

Bert's Restaurant, Bundaberg.

Where: 163 Bourbong Street, Bundaberg Central, 4670

Opening hours: Tuesday – Thursday, dinner 5pm – 9pm. Friday – Saturday dinner from 5pm – 11pm Vibe: Bert’s Restaurant and Bar takes you back in time, offering a 1920s vibe with a modern twist. The intimate and classy setting is the perfect backdrop for fine food, canapes, cocktails, wines and beer. Their new summer menu showcases their infusion of modern Australian and multicultural cuisine.

Bookings: https://discoverberts.com.au/

Carriageway Bistro, the Grand Hotel

Grand Hotel Childers.

Where: 110 Churchill Street, Childers, 4660

Opening hours: Dinner 5pm – 8pm daily

Vibe: Located right on the main street in Childers, the Carriageway Bistro is a cosy spot for diners to feast on a hearty meal, coupled with a cold beverage. There’s options of seating from the relaxed atmosphere of the Heritage Dining Room and Tropical Beer Garden, to the picturesque alley of the Carriageway Breezeway. Their menu has a variety of starters, sides and mains, catering for every craving.

Bookings: https://grandhotelchilders.com.au/carriageway-bistro/

Gympie

Kingston House Impressions

There is a stunning new menu at Kingston House Impressions in the heart of Gympie.

Where: Corner of Channon and Barter Street, Gympie, 4570

Opening hours: Tuesday – Saturday, dinner 5:30pm – 8:30pm

Vibe: Set in a beautiful old Queenslander, diners can feast on a mouth-watering meal at Gympie’s Kingston House Impressions. This dining experience has locals raving about their cocktails, as they have quite the range to choose from. Specials change each week for lunch and dinner.

Bookings: https://www.kingstonhouseimpressions.com.au/contact-us/

The team at Kingston House restaurant in Gympie. Photo Craig Warhurst/The Gympie Times.

Turmeric One Fifty

Stunning Thai food prepared by one of the former chefs at Spirit House is a surprise sensation nestled in the heart of Gympie at Tumeric One Fifty.

Where: 150 Mary Street, Gympie, 4570

Hours: Tuesday – Saturday, dinner 5pm – 8pm

Vibe: A modern Thai restaurant, passionate about using fresh, local produce in their cuisine. Savour the evening and dine in at Turmeric One Fifty, or if you’re short on time, their ‘grab-n-go’ takeaway option has got you covered.

Bookings: https://www.facebook.com/turmericonefifty/

Gympie RSL Club

The recently renovated Gympie RSL in Mary Street prides itself on an extensive cocktail menu.

Where: 217 Mary Street, Gympie, 4570

Hours: Sunday – Thursday 10am – 11pm. Friday – Saturday 10am – 12am

Vibe: Located in the heart of Gympie, the Gympie RSL Club caters for every appetite. Diners can sit back and relax in the Atrium Bistro, featuring a menu that spoils you for choice. Let the night go on at the Rendezvous Bar with a cocktail, wine or beer from their extensive beverage list.

Bookings: http://www.gympiersl.com.au/contact

Originally published as Wide Bay's romantic dining experiences| LIST